11:19pm Tuesday 9th August 2005
By Dennis Aris
Kendal Town 3, Whitehaven Amateurs 1.
Ace striker Kenny Mayers, still not fully fit after lengthy injury set Town on the way to a comfortable victory over Wearside League outfit Whitehaven Amateurs.
The big forward stretched out his left leg in the 24th minute to volley Chris Ward's waist high cross past the keeper.
A minute before half-time Ged Smith's cross from the left was passed on by Ward and right winger Peter Smith cut in behind the defence to side-foot in a second goal.
Town boss Tony Hesketh made several changes early in the second half and in the 61st minute captain Lee Ashcroft, who had another impressively sharp game, worked the ball into the Whitehaven box. He tied up three defenders before slipping the ball square to give John Osborne a simple finish from six yards.
Hard working Whitehaven made little headway against the strong Town defence, but their persistence brought reward in the 86th minute when Craig Robson, the grandson of a former Netherfield FC stalwart, for once escaped down the left wing. His long run towards the Kendal box ended in a pass to unmarked Craig Burns, whose shot gave the keeper no chance.
With a pre-season record of four wins including victory over Scottish Third Division Champions Gretna, and one defeat, by a penalty to Conference side Morecambe, Town look in great shape. They now take a break before their UniBond League First Division opening home match against Spalding United on Saturday, August 20.
© Copyright 2001-2012 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.thewestmorlandgazette.co.uk/trade_directory/